The morning sun had barely risen over the village when Ryuga found himself standing in an open field with his father, Minato Namikaze. The air was still cool, with a faint breeze rustling through the grass. Ryuga's heart was pounding with anticipation as he prepared to begin his training for the finals. He had always admired his father's speed and power, but now, more than ever, he needed to close the gap between him and his competitors.
Minato, the Fourth Hokage, stood before him, calm and thoughtful. His sharp blue eyes seemed to be assessing Ryuga's every movement, and his posture was relaxed but attentive, always ready to guide his son.
"So," Minato began with a slight smile, "you wanted to talk to me about your training?"
Ryuga nodded, feeling a bit anxious. He had been mulling over this for a while, trying to find the right words. "Yeah, Dad. I've been thinking a lot about my weaknesses… Naruto's gotten faster, and Sasuke's Sharingan can track my movements. I need something to close the gap, something that can catch my opponents by surprise."
Minato studied him quietly, then nodded for him to continue.
Ryuga hesitated for a moment, his face flushing slightly. "I… I was wondering if you could teach me something like the Flying Thunder God technique," he finally blurted out, his voice filled with both hope and nervousness.
Minato raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly. "So that's what you've been thinking about?"
Ryuga's face turned red, realizing how bold his request had been. He quickly tried to change the subject, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I mean… I was just curious. I also wanted to know where Naruto went. You said he ran off somewhere earlier, right?"
Minato smiled knowingly, understanding his son's attempt to deflect the conversation. "Naruto? Yes, he went off to find a teacher. He mentioned something about wanting to get stronger before the finals, and, knowing Naruto, he's probably pestering someone as we speak."
Ryuga sighed in relief that his father hadn't pressed further on the Flying Thunder God question, though the thought still lingered in his mind. He couldn't deny the appeal of a technique that could allow him to outmaneuver even the fastest opponents, but he also knew it wasn't something just anyone could learn.
Minato then grew more serious, crossing his arms over his chest. "As for the Flying Thunder God… I can teach you, Ryuga, but you have to understand that it's not just about speed. The technique requires an advanced level of perception and an understanding of space-time that few shinobi possess. It's not something you can learn overnight."
Ryuga looked down, his confidence wavering slightly. "I understand, Dad… I just feel like I need something more. Everyone around me is getting stronger, and I don't want to fall behind."
Minato placed a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. "Don't doubt yourself so quickly, Ryuga. I believe in your potential. We'll work on it together, and even if the Flying Thunder God proves to be too difficult, there are other ways we can improve your speed and surprise tactics."
Ryuga nodded, feeling reassured by his father's words. "Thanks, Dad."
"Alright," Minato said, clapping his hands together. "Let's start with the basics. We'll work on refining your current techniques and gradually introduce new ones. You've got good instincts, and your control over Water and Wind Release is impressive. But before we get to space-time ninjutsu, we need to push your reaction speed and precision further."
The training began in earnest, with Minato guiding Ryuga through a series of intense drills aimed at sharpening his reflexes. They practiced everything from rapid shuriken throws to complex movement patterns, with Minato emphasizing precision and unpredictability in combat. Ryuga could feel his body becoming more attuned to the flow of battle, though he knew he still had a long way to go.
Meanwhile, across the village, Naruto had already begun his own journey to find a new teacher. He had been wandering around the village, searching for someone who could help him get stronger before the finals. His thoughts were racing, eager to prove himself. He couldn't let Sasuke, Ryuga, or anyone else surpass him.
As Naruto made his way through the village, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure perched atop a building, looking out over the streets with a carefree grin on his face. The man was tall, with long white hair tied in a ponytail and red markings running down his face. He wore a simple green outfit with wooden sandals, and there was something undeniably powerful about his presence.
Naruto's eyes widened in recognition. "Hey! You're that pervy sage from before!" he shouted, pointing up at him.
The man, Jiraiya, chuckled and leaped down from the building, landing gracefully in front of Naruto. "That's no way to greet your new sensei," Jiraiya said with a mischievous grin.
Naruto blinked in surprise. "New sensei? You mean… you're gonna train me?!"
Jiraiya smirked and crossed his arms. "That's right. But only because I see potential in you, Naruto. You've got the guts to go far, and you remind me of someone I used to know."
Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?! That's awesome! What are you gonna teach me?"
Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, we'll start with something simple. How about we go get some ramen first?"
Naruto's face fell for a moment, confused. "Ramen? But… I need to get stronger!"
Jiraiya laughed, patting Naruto on the head. "Trust me, kid. You'll get your training. But we've got plenty of time. For now, let's eat, and I'll tell you all about the amazing training you're about to undergo."
Naruto's eyes sparkled at the mention of ramen, and despite his earlier confusion, he couldn't resist. "Alright! Let's go, Pervy Sage!"
Jiraiya grinned as they headed off toward Ichiraku Ramen, knowing full well that Naruto had no idea what he was in for.
Back at the training field, Ryuga was starting to feel the strain of Minato's intense training. His body ached, and sweat dripped down his face, but he pushed forward with determination. As the session came to a close, Minato looked at his son with pride.
"You've made good progress today, Ryuga," Minato said. "But remember, this is only the beginning. You've got a month to prepare for the finals, and I know you'll do great."
Ryuga nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thanks, Dad. I'll keep working hard."
Minato smiled. "That's the spirit. Now, get some rest. We'll continue tomorrow."
As Ryuga made his way back home, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within him. The road ahead would be tough, but with his father's guidance and his own determination, he knew he could overcome any obstacle in his way.